It’s mid-afternoon that I get at the Onsen. I made a quick stop earlier at my room here in Itou to ensure my mind is in order and my appearance as well. I made sure to have my uniform spick and span, my boots a flawless black and my nippontou obviously showing as I enter the lobby. Removing my cap I wedge it to my side and nodded slightly at the receptionist.
“I’m here for the owner. Sugiyama-san isn’t it?” I tower above the woman who nervously looks around. I’d have to wonder if they’d ever seen a police officer before. Perhaps all they are used to the local police, which from the research I’ve done doesn’t hold much of a gall to the TMPD. I follow her gaze and look around this place, I’m sure there are a lot of wagging tongues here. I flash them a meaningful grin. If they have any sense, they -will- stay away.
“Well speak up. Where is she? I’m here on business so -don’t- waste my time.” I tap my fingers impatiently.
She shuffles the receipts in her hand and bows. “Please wait a minute and I’ll get her.”
April 30th – Afternoon – At the Onsen
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“Sugiyama-san, there’s a man – a policeman – I think, he’s in a uniform here to see you…”
I look up, annoyed for the interruption. I’m still working on getting the pay out. It’s taken most of the morning and then the cooks needed money to pay the vegetable man… I will definitly go to see Yagi-san this evening. It’s not so much because Keade-san tells a similar story, I still think she was up to -something-, but I don’t have the time or temperment to see to this kind of work. “Fine, fine…” I answer, leaving the office.
Coming out I see … Yagi-san’s relative… name, name, what’s his name? “Oh, Yamaguchi-san, how nice to see you.” I had no idea he was of the police. I smile my most charming smile at him. He’s probably come about Yagi-san’s job. Oh, this will save me the hassle, even though I -doubt- Yagi-san to be a hysterical woman… “Come into my office, please.”
I nod at Yuri-san, still standing there with wide eyes. A girl who works at an onsen should be used to seeing people… “Bring us tea.”
I slide open the door to all him to enter.
“No tea for me Sugiyama-san.” I enter the room with dire authority. Looking around it looks like Sugiyama-san is used to entertaining people her taste in seating is elegant but comfortable and a number of Ikebanas lend the place personality. I remove some of the cushions and push them to the side and sat in Seiza with my arms crossed over my chest.
“I’m here to investigate the -attack from yesterday on Yagi Hide.” I say this so matter-of-factly that even I am surprised that I speak of her as if we were nothing more than strangers of which we are definitely -not-. “If you can please give me the facts, a description of the man and whatever else you feel will help the Keishikan.”
Oh, he is rather formal, and I don’t miss that sword at his side. Certainly one doesn’t see that from the police in Ito. Tea is still brought… I take my cup and take a sip before answering. “Attack?” I raise my eyebrows. “Oh, you must mean the -incident- with Ogawa-san.”
Attack… that’s how Keade-san’s father put it when he came by earlier. But Ogawa-san was so -charming-… “Keishikan? I don’t see why they would need to be involved; it is a private matter with my employees.”
I certainly don’t need any relations of Yagi-san’s poking about our business. “If this is about her job, I was going to speak to her later… if she will act in a respectable manner I will allow her to resume her employment with me.” And she should be thankful. No matter how vital she is I’m not going to have her further compromise the reputation of this onsen. If I am tied to this place, I must keep it to the standards that my father has set.
Incident…
She’s just been knocked down a peg or two in my eyes. How Hide had withstand working with this woman for years escapes me, but I try to remember what she has done for Hide. Certainly if I lose my temper I will not get what I need… So I relax slightly and assume a much more amiable air.
“Keishikan? I don’t see why they would need to be involved; it is a private matter with my employees.”
I grin at this. “Sugiyama-san, the mere fact that I am here means the police is -already- involved. Perhaps you find it perplexing that I, a relative is working her case but truly, you must believe me when I tell you that I want this onsen safe. Just like any leisure establishment, it’s reputation is important which is why I have taken it upon myself to not yet inform anyone.”
“If this is about her job, I was going to speak to her later… if she will act in a respectable manner I will allow her to resume her employment with me.”
It is a good thing one of my hand is hidden, as it forms into a fist. My ears start to ring with the way she had just addressed Hide. She is either a very vile woman, for which these words come naturally… Or she is an idiot who clings to what she thinks is right and proper.
So Hide has not yet lost her job. I could tell this idiot that Hide will never come back here and that I won’t allow her back into Itou… But I know that will not be possible. This really is her life now and maybe she and I got caught in the moment, that I never did consider the possiblity that she could still work at this onsen and not move. Keeping what she had worked for intact and my daughter unhurt.
The smile on my face does not falter. I must try to salvage whatever it is that Hide has built with this woman, even if she does turn the bile in my stomach.
“That’s very -generous- of you Sugiyama-san.” I move slightly closer and bowed my head. “She will be happy to hear that I think, however, I must implore you to cooperate with me on finding the whereabouts of Ogawa. It is better that we keep this to ourselves and -not- get the local police involved, for the sake of your onsen and Hide’s future possibilities here.”
I nod at his explanation of why he is involved, I am glad he understands how important a reputation is. “Of course. I don’t wish this to go any further…” And the local police – it would be all over Ito in a matter of hours.
“But yesterday… I was going down the hall when I noticed the door slightly open and I saw Ogawa-san – he had Yagi-san by a wall, and was holding her by her wrists, above her head.” He was treating her roughly, I suppose, thinking back. Although, I have heard of women who prefer it in that manner… certainly not Yagi-san!… but they say still waters do run deep. I hide the giggle that rises in my throat as a cough, and take another sip of tea and set down the teacup. Tapping a finger to my chin I try to remember the sequence of events. “I asked that they stop, and apologized to Ogawa-san. After speaking to Yagi-san and sending her home, I went back to speak to Ogawa-san. We settled his account and he left here.”
I look back over at him… too bad he is a relative of Yagi-san’s, he is very attractive with that smile. “Are you sure you won’t have any tea? Shizuoka is famous for it,” I offer, indicating the other cup on the tray. He is certainly more agreeable after I let him know how he would be dealing with me.
That’s very generous of you Sugiyama-san. She will be happy to hear that I think,”
She should be happy to hear that, I would think she should be overjoyed. “Good. Do tell Yagi-san that she may come in Monday just as normal.” I rise to go to the desk I use when I must, next to Yagi-san’s, which I’ve spent a lot of time going through, but finding nothing amiss. She is at least honest with the finances, as I can tell. I glance at the picture of the little girl on her desk. Makoto. I always thought that an odd name for a girl…
“Ogawa Arima. He lives in Yokohama, this is the address he left me.” Turning back, I hand him the slip of paper. He wished for me to write … not that I would; I am an engaged woman after all! But… if that ship that Matsuo-san is on stays out much longer… “If he is still in Ito, he said that he usually stays at the Nagashima ryoken.”
I listen to her recount the events from last Thursday. It’s not much different from what I usually hear on domestic violence, although the fact that it happened to Hide leaves a very sour taste in my mouth. Sugiyama coughs and my eyes dart back at her closely, she’s not sick so unless she’s choking on the tea she is hiding an amused expression.
“Are you sure you won’t have any tea? Shizuoka is famous for it.
“I suppose I shall.”, I decide to take a sip. The bitter taste complements how I feel right now so there is -no- difference.
“Good. Do tell Yagi-san that she may come in Monday just as normal.”
It’s hard to answer truthfully, so I decide until I am sure I will wait. I raise my hand to indicate I heard her.
“It appears Hide values you highly… She’s always spoken well about you.” Which is why I do not understand why you are such a vile creature… Or maybe I do. I rise up from where I am seated after getting what I needed and force myself to bow at her.
“Thank you.” I hide my eyes that are laden with hatred for this woman but she did deserve it, those words. Somehow… Somewhere Sugiyama was there when Hide needed her.
It appears Hide values you highly… She’s always spoken well about you.
I nod at that, looking away from Yamaguchi-san. I once enjoyed helping her, that woman who looked so lost that day in the marketplace five years ago, but she always kept her distance after that first conversation. And as it became obvious that I would never leave the onsen for another life… I cannot let the actions of someone who I help come back to slap me in the face. She will come back Monday and it shall proceed as it always has, but this time she will remember… what I have done for her, and behave as she should. I am not a poor judge in people – I am not. As regards Yagi-san or Matsuo-san… anyone.
None of the others here know anything is amiss. And certainly not father.
He stands and I rise as well, answering his bow and a smile, the kind that charms even the most difficult guest. “Do come by to see me again, Yamaguchi-san, when you are next in Ito.”
“I will definitely do that.” I put on my hat and leave. Now to find Ogawa.